Asia-US container rates fall 32% in latest week

Ocean shipping was the subject of global trade conversations as a tenuous ceasefire in the Gaza war prompted talk of a return of the largest carriers to the Red Sea-Suez Canal route. CMA CGM said it would expand services; the French line has maintained some scheduled services since attacks on merchant shipping by Yemen-based Houthi militia beginning in late 2023 led most liners to divert on longer voyages around Africa.   

But Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO), the world’s second-largest ocean carrier, said it had no imminent plans to return.

“While most carriers are not offering a timeline, ZIM’s (NYSE: ZIM) chief executive recently stated that a return in the near future is increasingly likely,” Levine said. “The shift of most of the 30% of global container volumes that normally transit the Suez Canal away from the Red Sea and around the Cape of Good Hope almost exactly two years ago added seven to 10 days and thousands of miles to Asia-Europe journeys and to some Asia-North America sailings as well.”

The return of container traffic to the shorter Suez route will lead to the sudden early arrival of ships, causing significant vessel bunching and congestion at already persistently congested European hubs, Levine noted. This resultant congestion will cause delays and absorb capacity, which could increase container rates on the affected lanes and potentially elsewhere, although carriers have plans for a gradual phase-in, with smaller vessels transiting first, to minimize the impact of the reset and mitigate vessel bunching.

A gradual transition would be less disruptive despite shippers’ likely demands for a quick return; it could take up to two months for schedules to return to normal during which a hurried process would weaken rates. A total of 2 million TEUs could be reinstated, according to industry estimates.

“The capacity absorbed through Red Sea diversions pushed East-West rates up to highs of $8,000-$10,000 per FEU in 2024 and set a highly elevated floor of $3,000-$5,000 per FEU during low demand periods that year,” Levine said. Rates on these lanes have consistently been significantly lower than last year, he added, with prices on some lanes reaching 2023 levels in early October.

Rate hikes in October and November on Asia-Europe lanes have been more effective. Prices to Europe and the Mediterranean are 40% higher than in early October at $2,500 per FEU and $3,000 per FEU as lines ratcheted up blanked sailings. 

“Carriers are planning additional GRIs for December aiming for the $3,000-$4,000 per FEU-level as they continue to reduce capacity,” Levine said, with an announced labor strike in Belgium likely to absorb some supply, but there are signs that these increases may not take.”

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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